Latch releasing door handle



April 8, 1952 G. v. JAKEWAY LATCH RELEASING DOOR HANDLE 2 SHEETS- SHEET 1 Filed Jan. 24, 1949 INVENTOR.

4f gill- J April 8, 1952 G. v. JAKEwAY 2,591,822

LATCH RELEASING DOOR HANDLE Filed Jan. 24, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 1N V EN TOR.

Patented Apr. S, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LATCH RELEASING Doon HANDLE Gerald v. Jakeway, Grana Rapids, Mich., assigner I to Keeler Brass Company, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Application January 24, 1949, Serial No. 72,377

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates releasing door handles.

The main objects of this invention are: f

First, to provide a latch releasing door handle adapted for use in connection with lockable latches which is effective in releasing the latch when unlocked but prevents parts being broken when the latch is locked.

Second, to provide a latch releasing door handle which includes a springable operating connection for the handle t the latch releasing element which is so conneced to the handle that it operates as a substantially rigid member normally but which is yieldable or springable when the thrust resistance exceeds a predetermined amount such, for example, as would be occasioned by an operation of the handle when the latch is locked.

Third, to provide a door handle in which the operating parts are so connected or associated with `the handle'that attempts to open a door s uch as the door of an automobile when the same is locked, by breaking or forcing the latch mechanism, are effectively prevented.

, Fourth, to provide a structure embodying these advantages which is comparatively simpleand economical in its parts and may be assembled as a unit upon a door in operative relation to a latch mechanism.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is dened and pointed out in the claims.

. A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: Y Fig. 1 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section on a line corresponding to line I-I of Fig. 3, the handle being shown in retracted position by full lines and in actuated position by dotted lines.

' Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view partly in section illustrating the handle and associated parts in latch releasing or actuated position.

`.'E'igfS is a fragmentary View in section on a line -3-3 of Fig. 1.

. on aline corresponding to line 6-5 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary View mainly in section on a line corresponding tonline 'l-lof Fig. `5.

Fig. 8 is afragmentary sectional View of the to improvements in latch 45 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary View in section on linner side of the outer panel 3 thereof. A lockable latch mechanism is designated generally by the numeral 4, the keeper engaging portion being designated by the numeral 5. This latch mechanism includes a release member 6. The latch mechanism 4 is adapted to be locked.

This mechanism is not described as it -forms no part of my present invention. It is illustrated merely for the purpose of showing that conventional lockable latches include several parts which may be broken ifv force is applied to release or diseng-age the latch while the latch is locked, such for example as on an automobile door installation.

The latch releasing door handle on the embodiment of my invention illustrated nFigs. 1 to 4 comprises an escutcheon 'I consisting of a body portion 8 and an ornamental casing 9 suitably shaped and having an opening I 0 therein receiving the inner end of the pull handle II.

The escutcheon is Yprovided with a U-shapedA bracket portion I2 whi-ch is disposedV through an opening I3 in the door panel 3 and'plate 2.

The cross or web portion ld of the bracketis provided with a threaded opening I5 receiving the screw I5 arranged through an opening I'I in the latch supporting plate I8 which is, as illustrated,A formed as a part of the plate 2. This clamps the escutcheon and the handle and operating mechanism assembled therewith in position asaunit. f I `The handle is provided with an inwardly projecting pivotY arm I9 comprising spaced side members2l disposed between the sides of the bracket and pivotally mounted thereon at 2l adjacent the inner end of the arm. The side members of the pivot arm are provided with spaced stopsv 22 which coact with the inturned lug-like stops 23 formed on` the side members of the bracket to limit the swing of the handle. The pivot arm side members areconnected by an inner cross piece 24 and an outer cross piece 25 extendingV 28 engaged in a slot'ZS in thetwebV portion I4 of .the bracket. This plunger is positioned to coact withl the latch'releasinglelements tas is illustrated. f t Y.

The plunger is connected for operation by the handle by means of the blade-like springable thrust member 3G which has an outwardly offset inner end portion 3| disposed through a slot 32 in the inner cross piece of the pivot arm, the member 30 being in fulcruming engagement with the cross piece and having an opening 33 therein receiving the end 34 of the plunger 21. The plunger' is provided with a thrust collar 35 engaging the inner side of the member 33 and also serving as a thrust abutment for the coil spring 3B, the inner end of which rests on the bushing or bearing 28, the spring thereby acting to return the plunger and also return the handle to its retracted position.

The springable thrust member 30 'is provided with an integral detent arm 31 at its outer end which terminates in an inwardly facing recessed detent jaw 33 normally engaging the keeper 2t. Invnormal operation the springable member 33 'is supported by its detent connection to the lever so4 that it swings therewith without springing. However, in theevent that an attempt is made to release the latch While it is locked, pull on the handle swinging it to lthe position indicated by dotted Alines infFig. 1 results in the keeper riding out of vthe jaw of the detent and sliding along the inner `side of vthe-detentarrn `as shown by dotted lines in Fig. l, thereby permitting the actuation of the handle without imparting such thrust upon the latch Yrelease member as would be likely to break parts ofthe handle or of the latch.

UThe -springability of the -member 3|) provides a yielding'connection to the handle which permits a complete swinging movement of the handle withoutinju'ry to associatedparts. It is common observation that unauthorized persons, in attempting vto f orciibl'yfopen the door of an automobile, 'for'exampla employ a wrench or a section of pipe or the like engaged with the handle so as to increase the leverage and thereby break the Ylock mechanism.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 5 to "8, inclusive, various parts are substantially as described in connection with Figs.

l to 4, inclusive, the main exceptions being that `of the operating connections for the handle to `the latch release plunger or member 21. In this embodimehtof Figs. 5to 8,`inclusive, the handle 'is provided with the pivot arm I9 substantially as Vin the other embodiment with the exception that thec'ross member |24 of this embodiment does not serve as a lfulcruming support for the thrust member corresponding generally to thethrust member 30 of the Adescribed structure. The thrust member |30 is `pivotally mounted on the handle pivot 2| 'and is provided with a rearwardly Vprojecting curved arm |3| terminating in a stud |32 extending into the inner end of the coiled trustspring |33, the outer end of which is supported by the abutment |34 in the handle, the outer end of the spring being telescopingly supported within the handle. The thrust member |33 is providedwith a bore |35 receiving the stud |36 `or the actuating plunger Z'icorresponding to the stud 34 of the described structure.

The thrust collar of the actuating member 21 vengages a suitable seat |38 on the member |33. In this structure the tension of the spring |33 exceeds that of thereturn spring 36 or the member 21 so that when the handle is normally actuated the member 21 is actuated to release the latch. However, in the-event that the resistance to actuation of the latchreleasing member is such that some part is likely to be broken the 4 spring |33 yields preventing such breakage with the result of protecting the parts against breakage substantially as in the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

This modication of my invention of Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive, has certain structural advantages in that the coil spring |23 is a standard or conventional type of spring whereas the spring member 33 is a' special spring, that is, it is especially fabricated for this particular structure.

I am aware that lock mechanisms have been provided which, when locked, release the handle so that it cannot be manipulated to break the lock but the handles in such mechanisms are likely to swing out of normal position when they are thus released, thereby disiiguring the automobile and requiring that they be repositioned before the latch can be unlocked.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a simple and practical embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other adaptations or embodiments which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to which 'my invention relates, to embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure 4by Letters Patentis:

l. A latch releasing door handle comprising an escutcheon, an outwardly facing `U-shaped bracket connected thereto for assembly upon a door with the bracket projecting through an opening in the door, a handle, a pivot arm secured to the inner end of the handle to project inwardly therefrom and comprising spaced side members and inner and outer cross members extending between the rear edges thereof, the outer'cross member having a rearwardly directed keeper portion, the pivot arm side-members being disposed between the side members oithebracket and pivotally mounted thereon and having spaced stops on their inner ends, the bracket having a stop coacting with the stops of the arms to limit the swing of the handle, a latch actuating plunger reciprocatingly mounted on the bracket, a springable blade-like Vthrust member for said plunger disposed between the sidemembers of said pivot arm on the inner side `of said inner cross member and having an Voisetat Vits inner end engaged in an opening in the inner cross member whereby the thrust member is supported in fulcruming'relation to the inner cross member and in thrust engagement with `the plunger, the thrust member having an integral springable detent arm at its outer end terminating in an inwardly facing'hook shaped'keeper engaging jaw normally coacting withsaid keeper, a return spring for said plunger in thrust engagement therewith and in supported 'engagement with the bracket and maintaining the'plunger in thrust engagement with said thrust' member, said cross member having a rearwardly directed keeper portion, the pivot arm side members being disposed between the side members ofthe bracket and pvotally mounted thereon, a latch actuating plunger reciprocatingly mounted on the bracket, a springable blade-like thrustmember for said plunger disposed between the side members of said pivot arm on the inner side of said inner cross member and having an oifset atits innerendengaged in an opening in the inner cross member whereby the thrust member is supportedv in fulcruming relation to the inner cross member and in thrust engagement with the plunger, the thrust member having an integral springable detent arm at its outer end terminating in an inwardly facing hook shaped keeper engaging jaw normally coacting with said keeper, a return spring for said plunger in thrust engagement therewith and in supported engagement with the bracket and maintaining the plunger Ain thrust engagement with saidthrust member, said keeper being disengaged from said `detent jaw and slidably engaging the detent arm mounted on the bracket, a springable thrust member for said plunger disposed between the side members of said pivot arm and mounted thereon for swinging movement therewith in engagement with the plunger, the thrust member having a, springable detent arm terminating in a keeper engaging jaw normally in engagement with said keeper, a return spring for said plunger, said keeper being disengaged from said detent jaw and slidably engaging the detent arm when the actuation of the plunger is resisted as by a lock latch.

. 4. A latch releasing door handle comprising an escutcheon, an outwardly facing U-shaped bracket connected thereto for assembly upon a door with the bracket projecting through an opening in the door, a, handle, a pivot arm secured to the inner end of the handle to project inwardly therefrom, the pivot arm being disposed between the side members of the bracket and pvotally mounted thereon at its inner end, a keeper operated by said handle, stops limiting the swing of the handle, a latch actuating member mounted 'on thebracket, a springable thrust member for said latch actuating member mounted on said pivot arm adjacent the pivot thereof with its outer end in thrust engagement with said latch actuating member, the thrust member having an integral springable detent arm terminating in an inwardly facing recessed keeper engaging jaw normally coacting with said keeper, a return spring for said latch actuating member, said keeper being disengaged from said detent jaw and slidably engaging the detent arm when the actuation of the plunger is resisted as by a lock latch.

5. V.A latch releasing door handle comprising a mounting bracket, a handle provided with an inwardly projecting pivot. arm comprising spaced 4side niei'nbers pvotally mounted at its inner end on'said bracket and having a cross piece at its innerend and a keeper at its outer end, the bracket and arm having coacting stops, a latch actuating element mounted on said bracket, a springable thrust member for said actuating element disposed between the side members of said pivot `arm and fulcrumly engaged with said pivot arm `with its outer end in cooperating engagement withsaid latch actuating element, and a springable detent on the outer end of said thrust member and engageable with said keeper on the outer end of said pivot arm, the detent yielding to permit disengagement of the keeper from vthe detent when the load resisting the actuation of the latchractuating member is excessive, the

`keeper being ,in sliding and supporting engageinner end and a keeper at its outer end, a latch actuating element mounted on said bracket, a springable thrust member for said actuating element disposed between the side members of said pivot arm and fulcrumly engaged with said pivot arm with its outer end in cooperating engagement with said latch actuating element, and, a springable detent on the outer end of said thrust member and engageable with said keeper on the outer end of said pivot arm, the detent yielding to permit disengagement of the keeper from the detent when the load resisting the actuation of the latch actuating member is excessive.

7. A latch releasing door handle comprising in combination, a mounting bracket, a handle pvotally mounted thereon, a latch actuating plunger mounted on said bracket, a springable thrust member for said plunger mounted on said handle adjacent the pivot thereof for swinging movement with the swinging of the handle and in thrust engagement with the plungera spring: biased detent carried by said thrust member, said handle being provided with a keeper releasably engaged by said detent, the tension on the detent being such that the detent is normally in engagement with the keeper but disengages therefrom when the resistance on the plunger is excessive, and a return spring for the plunger acting to hold the plunger in thrust engagement Withthe thrust member and to return the handle.

8. A latch releasing door handle comprising l handle and in operative relation to the latch Iactuating member. a spring biased detent carried by said thrust member, said handle being provided with a keeper releasably engaged by said detent, the tension on the detent being such that the detent is normally in engagement with the keeper but disengages therefrom when the resistance on the latch actuating element is excessive.

9. A latch releasing door handle comprising a supporting bracket, a handle provided with an inwardly projecting pivot arm pvotally mounted on said bracket. a latchV actuating member, a

7 sprngable operating connection normallyswingfable with said handle and operatively associated with said latch actuating member for actuating the same, said springa'ble operating connection being provided with a spring biased handle engaging detent tensioned to normally connect the said springable operating connection to the handle for actuation therewith but tensioned to release when the resistance of the latch actuating member is increased as by the locking of the latch with which the handle is associated.

10. A latch releasing door handle for lockable J latches comprising a pivotally mounted handle,

means being releasable when the latch releasing member is subjected to such resistance as would result from a locked latch when the handle is actuated and being automatically reengaged by the return of the parts to normal position.

11. A latch releasing door handle comprising a supporting bracket for attachment to a door, a door handle pivoted on said bracket for swinging movement relative thereto, a latch actuating element mounted on said bracket, a return spring for said latch actuating element, and a spring operatively connected to said handle to be placed under actuating stress by the actuation thereof about the pivotal axis of the handle on said bracket and through which said latch actuating element is actuated when the resistance to the actuation of the latch i actuating element is normal.

GERALD V. JAKEWAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

